Golf Club with a Unitized Structure

ABSTRACT

Golf clubs (including putters and wedges) include: a ball striking head and a shaft connecting member extending from the head; and (b) a shaft fixed to the shaft connecting member. The shaft may be fixed to the shaft connecting member without a hosel element and/or in such a manner that a smooth or substantially smooth exterior junction and/or overall handle member is provided. The connection may be made by welding, soldering, brazing, other fusing techniques, adhesives, mechanical connectors, or and the like.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/120,177, filed May 3, 2005, entitled “Golf Club with a UnitizedStructure,” in the names of David N. Franklin and John Thomas Stites.This priority application is entirely incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to golf clubs, including putters andiron type golf clubs (such as wedges). Golf clubs in accordance with atleast some examples of the invention may be constructed without a hoselelement and/or with a smooth transition between the shaft member and theclub head at the junction between these members.

BACKGROUND

Golf is enjoyed by a wide variety of players—players of differentgenders and players of dramatically different ages and skill levels.Golf is somewhat unique in the sporting world in that such diversecollections of players can play together in golf events, even in directcompetition with one another (e.g., using handicapped scoring, differenttee boxes, in team formats, etc.), and still enjoy the golf outing orcompetition. These factors, together with increased availability of golfprogramming on television (e.g., golf tournaments, golf news, golfhistory, and/or other golf programming) and the rise of well known golfsuperstars, at least in part, have increased golf's popularity in recentyears both in the United States and across the world. The number ofindividuals participating in the game and the number of golf courseshave increased steadily over recent years.

Golfers at all skill levels seek to improve their performance, lowertheir golf scores, and reach that next performance “level.”Manufacturers of all types of golf equipment have responded to thesedemands, and recently, the industry has witnessed dramatic changes andimprovements in golf equipment. For example, a wide range of differentgolf ball models now are available, with some balls designed tocomplement specific swing speeds and/or other player characteristics orpreferences, e.g., with some balls designed to fly farther and/orstraighter, some designed to provide higher or flatter trajectories,some designed to provide more spin, control, and/or feel (particularlyaround the greens), etc. A host of swing aids and/or teaching aids alsoare available on the market that promise to help lower one's golfscores.

Being the sole instruments that set golf balls in motion during play,golf clubs also have been the subject of much technological research andadvancement in recent years. For example, the market has seenimprovements in putter designs, golf club head designs, shafts, andgrips in recent years. Additionally, other technological advancementshave been made in an effort to better match the various elements and/orcharacteristics of the golf club and/or characteristics of a golf ballto a particular user's swing features or characteristics (e.g., clubfitting technology, ball launch angle measurement technology, ball spinrate characteristics, etc.).

Golfers tend to be sensitive to the “feel” of a golf club, particularlywith respect to putters and wedges. The “feel” of a golf club comprisesthe combination of various component parts of the club and variousfeatures associated with the club that produce the sensory sensationsexperienced by the player when a ball is swung at and/or struck. Club“feel” is a very personal characteristic in that a club that “feels”good to one user may have totally undesirable “feel” characteristics foranother. Club weight, weight distribution, aerodynamics, swing speed,and the like all may affect the “feel” of the club as it swings andstrikes a ball. “Feel” also has been found to be related to the visualappearance of the club and the sound produced when the club head strikesa ball to send the ball in motion.

While technological improvements to golf club designs have been made,because of the very personal nature of the swing and feels aspects ofstriking a golf ball, no single golf club design is best suited for allplayers. New designs that change the look and feel of the club arewelcomed by at least some players.

SUMMARY

The following presents a general summary of aspects of the invention inorder to provide a basic understanding of at least some of its aspects.This summary is not intended as an extensive overview of the invention.It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the inventionor to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merelypresents some concepts of the invention in a general form as a preludeto the more detailed description provided below.

Aspects of this invention relate to golf clubs, including putters andiron type golf clubs (such as wedges), that include: (a) a golf clubhead having a ball striking head and a shaft connecting member extendingfrom the ball striking head; and (b) a shaft member fixed to the shaftconnecting member. The shaft member may be fixed to the shaft connectingmember in a hosel-free manner. Additionally or alternatively, an outersurface of the shaft member and an outer surface of the shaft connectingmember may be sized, shaped, and fixed together such that the shaftmember/shaft connecting member junction (and the area surrounding it) issmooth or substantially smooth (e.g., with no abrupt changes in theouter dimensions, shapes, and/or sizes of the exterior of the shaftmember and/or the shaft connecting member at the junction, a visuallysmooth, constant, and/or continuous appearance, etc.). As examples, theshaft connecting member may connect with the shaft member via welding(e.g., friction welding, spin welding, etc.), butt-welding, soldering,brazing, adhesives, other fusing techniques, mechanical connections orconnectors, and the like. In at least some examples, the cross sectionalshapes and/or dimensions of the shaft connecting member and the shaftmember (e.g., at least at their junction and/or the immediatelysurrounding areas) may be the same or substantially the same (e.g.,within 5% of one another).

Club structures in accordance with at least some examples of theinvention further may include a finish material, e.g., applied at leastover a junction area where the shaft member is fixed to the shaftconnecting member. Examples of suitable finish materials include: chromecoating materials, anodized coating materials, paints, other coatings,and the like. Finish materials of this type may be used to visuallyconceal the junction area, and in at least some instances, the finishmaterial combined with the dimensions of the various parts may make itappear as if the shaft member and the shaft connecting member constitutea continuous or one-piece element at least in the junction area. In thismanner, a visually appealing, less visually distracting surface may beprovided as the club structure (e.g., as compared with traditionalbonding shaft/club head joints, hosel-based junctions, etc.).

Additional aspects of this invention relate to methods for making golfclubs, e.g., of the various types described above. Such methods mayinclude, for example: providing a golf club head (such as a putter head,an iron type club head (including a wedge head), etc.) including a ballstriking head and a shaft connecting member extending from the ballstriking head (e.g., by manufacturing or otherwise producing the golfclub head, by purchasing or otherwise obtaining the golf club head froma manufacturer or other third party source, etc.); and (b) fixing ashaft member to the shaft connecting member, for example, in ahosel-free manner and/or in a manner in which an outer surface of theshaft member and an outer surface of the shaft connecting member aresized, shaped, and fixed together such that the shaft member/shaftconnecting member junction is smooth or substantially smooth (e.g., withno abrupt changes in the outer dimensions, shapes, and/or sizes of theexterior of the shaft member and/or the shaft connecting member at leastat the junction, having a visually smooth, constant, and/or continuousappearance, and/or etc). In such example methods, appropriate sizing andshaping of the shaft member and the shaft connecting member, at least atthe junction and/or the area around the junction, may take place, atleast in part, after the two members have been fixed together. Methodsin accordance with at least some examples of this invention further mayinclude various fixing methods and finishing methods, including the morespecific fixing methods and finishing methods described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention and certainadvantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the followingdescription in consideration with the accompanying drawings, in whichlike reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional putter structure including aconventional hosel element arrangement for attaching the club shaft tothe putter head;

FIG. 2 illustrates an iron type golf club structure including aconventional hosel element arrangement for attaching the club shaft tothe club head;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example putter structure in accordance with thisinvention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example iron type golf club structure inaccordance with this invention;

FIGS. 5 through 7 illustrate examples of at least some process stepsthat may be used for producing golf clubs in accordance with at leastsome examples of this invention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate another example connection between a shaftmember and a golf club head structure that may be used in accordancewith at least some examples of this invention (FIG. 8A is a crosssectional view taken along line 8A-8A in FIG. 8B); and

FIG. 9 illustrates another example connection between a shaft member anda golf club head structure that may be used in accordance with at leastsome examples of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of various example embodiments of theinvention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form apart hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration variousexample structures, systems, and steps in which aspects of the inventionmay be practiced. It is to be understood that other specificarrangements of parts, structures, example devices, systems, and stepsmay be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be madewithout departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, whilethe terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “side,” and the like may beused in this specification to describe various example features andelements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter ofconvenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in thefigures. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiringa specific three dimensional orientation of structures in order to fallwithin the scope of this invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a conventional putter structure 100. Asis conventional, the putter 100 includes a putter head 102 including aball striking face 102 a and a hosel element 104. The hosel element 104is a socket type structure into which a free end 106 a of a shaftelement 106 is inserted. Typically, the shaft element 106 is fixed tothe putter head 102 at the hosel element 104 via adhesive applied to thefree end 106 a of the shaft member 106 and/or to the interior walls ofthe hosel element 104 that engage the sides of the free end 106 a of theshaft member 106.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hosel element 104 where the shaft 106 is bondedto the putter head 102 produces an enlarged junction area. This enlargedjunction area can be distracting, at least for some players, e.g., whenthe player lines up to hit a putt or other shot. Moreover, the adhesivejoint between the hosel element 104 and the shaft 106 can create anenergy absorbing connection, which can cause an inconsistent feel whenshots are made, e.g., depending on the force of the shot, swing speed,etc.

Putters are not the only golf clubs that include hosel elements and/orother connection joints that may be enlarged, distracting to the user,and/or contain an energy absorbing connection. FIG. 2 illustrates aconventional iron type golf club 200 (e.g., a wedge in this example),which includes an iron club head 202 having a ball striking face 202 aand a hosel element 204. As with the structure shown in FIG. 1, a shaftelement 206 is fixed to the club head 202 at the hosel element 204 viaadhesive applied to the free end of the shaft member 206 and/or to theinterior walls of the hosel element 204 that engage the sides of thefree end of the shaft member 206. Again, this enlarged hosel element oroverall junction area can be distracting to users when making a shot.Additionally, the adhesive joint between the hosel element 204 and theshaft member 206 can create an energy absorbing connection, which cancause an inconsistent feel when shots are made, e.g., depending on theforce of the shot, swing speed, etc.

At least some example aspects of this invention relate to golf clubs andmethods of making golf clubs that avoid the use of hosel elements and/oravoid producing other enlarged areas around the junction of the shaftmember with the ball striking head. A general description of aspects ofthe invention followed by a more detailed description of specificexamples of the invention follows.

A. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF GOLF CLUBS AND METHODS ACCORDING TO ASPECTS OFTHE INVENTION

In general, aspects of this invention relate to golf clubs, including,for example, putters and iron type golf clubs. Such clubs, according toat least some examples of the invention, may include: (a) a golf clubhead (such as a putter head, an iron type club head (including a wedgeclub head), etc.) having a ball striking head and a shaft connectingmember extending from the ball striking head; and (b) a shaft memberfixed to the shaft connecting member in a hosel-free manner. Asexamples, a free end of the shaft connecting member may connect with afree end of the shaft member in any suitable or desired manner, such asvia welding (any type of welding procedure, e.g., friction welding, spinwelding, fusion welding, pressure welding, cold-press welding,ultrasonic welding, etc.), butt-welding, soldering, brazing, otherfusing techniques, adhesives, mechanical connectors, and the like. In atleast some examples of the invention, the cross sectional shapes and/ordimensions of the shaft connecting member and the shaft member may bethe same or substantially the same (e.g., within 5% of one another), atleast in the area of their junction. Additionally or alternatively, ifdesired, the shaft member may be fixed to the shaft connecting member ata junction area, and an outer size and/or shape of the shaft connectingmember at and/or near the junction area may be the same or substantiallythe same as an outer size and shape of the shaft member at and/or nearthe junction area (e.g., sized within 5% of one another, the samegeneral shape, etc.).

Club structures according to other examples of this invention mayinclude: (a) a golf club head (such as a putter head, an iron type clubhead (including a wedge head), etc.) having a ball striking head and ashaft connecting member extending from the ball striking head; and (b) ashaft member fixed to the shaft connecting member at a shaftmember/shaft connecting member junction located exterior to the ballstriking head. In such structures, an outer surface of the shaft memberand an outer surface of the shaft connecting member may be sized,shaped, and fixed together such that the shaft member/shaft connectingmember junction is smooth or substantially smooth (e.g., with no abruptchanges in the outer dimensions, shapes, and/or sizes of the exterior ofthe shaft member and/or the shaft connecting member at the junction, nodistinct edges, ridges, or shoulders, etc.).

As more specific examples, a free end of the shaft connecting member mayconnect with a free end of the shaft member in any suitable or desiredmanner, such as via welding (any type of welding procedure, e.g.,friction welding, spin welding, fusion welding, pressure welding,cold-press welding, ultrasonic welding, etc.), butt-welding, soldering,brazing, other fusing techniques, mechanical connectors, and the like.At least some example club structures in accordance with the invention(including the club structures described above) further may include afinish material, e.g., applied at least over a junction area where theshaft member is fixed to the shaft connecting member. Examples ofsuitable finish materials that may be used include: a chrome coatingmaterial, an anodized coating material, a paint coating material, anelectroplated coating material, other coating materials, and the like.Finish materials of this type may be used to visually conceal thejunction area, and in at least some instances, the finish material maymake it appear as if the shaft member and the shaft connecting memberconstitute a continuous or one-piece element, at least in the junctionarea. This result may be used to provide a visually appealing, lessvisually distracting surface (e.g., as compared with traditional bondingshaft/club head joints, hosel-based junctions, etc.) and/or an overallclub handle member having a visually smooth, constant, and/or continuousappearance.

Additional aspects of this invention relate to methods for making golfclubs. Such methods may include, for example: providing a golf club head(such as a putter head, an iron type club head (including a wedge head),etc.) including a ball striking head and a shaft connecting memberextending from the ball striking head (e.g., by manufacturing orotherwise producing the golf club head, by purchasing or otherwiseobtaining the golf club head from a manufacturer or other third partysource or supplier, etc.); and (b) fixing a shaft member to the shaftconnecting member in a hosel-free manner.

As another example, methods in accordance with at least some examples ofthis invention may include: (a) providing a golf club head (such as aputter head, an iron type club head (including a wedge head), etc.)including a ball striking head and a shaft connecting member extendingfrom the ball striking head (e.g., in the example manners describedabove); and (b) fixing a shaft member to the shaft connecting member ata shaft member/shaft connecting member junction located exterior to theball striking head. In such example methods, an outer surface of theshaft member and an outer surface of the shaft connecting member may besized, shaped, and fit together such that the shaft member/shaftconnecting member junction is smooth or substantially smooth (e.g., withno abrupt changes in the outer dimensions, shapes, and/or sizes in theexterior of the shaft member and/or the shaft connecting member at leastat the junction, having a visually smooth, constant, and/or continuousappearance, etc.). Appropriate sizing and shaping of the shaft memberand/or the shaft connecting member may take place, at least in part,after the two members have been fixed together (at least at the junctionand its surrounding areas).

The shaft member and the shaft connecting member in the above examplemethods may be fixed together in any suitable or desired manner, such asvia welding (any type of welding procedure, e.g., friction welding, spinwelding, fusion welding, pressure welding, cold-press welding,ultrasonic welding, etc.), butt-welding, soldering, brazing, otherfusing techniques, adhesives, mechanical connectors, and the like.Methods in accordance with at least some examples of this inventionfurther may include applying a finish material to the club shaft and/orshaft connecting member, e.g., at least over a junction area where theshaft member is fixed to the shaft connecting member. Examples ofsuitable finish application procedures that may be used include: achrome coating procedure, an anodization coating procedure, a paintcoating procedure, an electroplating procedure, other coating proceduresand/or materials, and the like. Finish procedures of this type may beused to visually conceal the junction area, and in at least someinstances, appropriate application of the finish may make it appear asif the shaft member and the shaft connecting member constitute acontinuous or one-piece element, at least in the junction area. Theresulting club structure may have an overall handle member that isvisually appealing, with a less visually distracting surface (e.g., ascompared with traditional bonding shaft/club head joints, hosel-basedjunctions, etc.).

Specific examples of the invention are described in more detail below.The reader should understand that these specific examples are set forthmerely to illustrate examples of the invention, and they should not beconstrued as limiting the invention.

B. SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION

The various figures in this application illustrate examples of golfclubs, components thereof, and methods in accordance with examples ofthis invention. When the same reference number appears in more than onedrawing, that reference number is used consistently in thisspecification and the drawings to refer to the same or similar partsthroughout.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example putter structure 300 that includes and/orwas produced by various aspects in accordance with this invention. Theputter structure 300 includes a putter head 302 having a ball strikingface 302 a. A shaft connecting member 304 extends from the putter head302. The shaft connecting member 304 may be formed in any desired mannerwithout departing from the invention, including in conventional mannersknown and used in the art. For example, the shaft connecting member 304may be mechanically attached to the putter head 302 (e.g., via threads,adhesives, a mechanical connector, etc.). As another example, shaftconnecting member 304 may be integrally formed as a unitary structurewith the remainder of or at least some portion of the putter head 302,e.g., by casting, molding, forging, or the like. Additionally, while theshaft connecting member 304 is shown extending from the top surface ofthe putter head 302, those skilled in the art will understand that theshaft connecting member 304 may extend from any location on the putterhead 302, and it may be sized, shaped, and extend in any desired manneror direction, without departing from the invention.

The putter head 302 and the shaft connecting member 304 may be producedfrom any desired materials without departing from the invention,including, for example, conventional materials known and used for putterheads in the art. Examples of such materials include: metals (e.g.,aluminum, steel, copper, copper alloys, titanium, titanium alloys,etc.), polymers, mixtures of metals and/or polymers, composites, etc.

The putter structure 300 of this example further includes a shaft member306 fixed to the shaft connecting member 304. As shown in FIG. 3 and aswill be explained in more detail later in this specification, the shaftmember 306 is connected with the shaft connecting member 304 in ahosel-free manner. In this example structure (and as shown in FIG. 3),the shaft member 306 is fixed to the shaft connecting member 304 at ashaft member/shaft connecting member junction 308 that is locatedexterior to the putter head 302. The outer dimension, size, and/or shapeof the shaft member 306 in this example structure 300 are the same orsubstantially the same as the outer dimension, size, and/or shape of theshaft connecting member 304, at least at the shaft member/shaftconnecting member junction 308. While this example putter structure 300shows a slight bend or direction change of the overall handle member atthe shaft member/shaft connecting member junction 308, those skilled inthe art will recognize, of course, that any shaped overall handle member(e.g., combination of at least shaft member 306 and shaft connectingmember 304) may be used without departing from the invention. Forexample, if desired, the shaft member/shaft connecting member junction308 (and/or the overall handle member) could provide a straightappearance, a curved appearance, a more pronounced bend or cornerappearance, a less pronounced bend or corner appearance, etc., withoutdeparting from this invention.

If desired, as further illustrated in the example structure of FIG. 3,at least the shaft member/shaft connecting member junction area 308 ofthe putter structure 300 may be treated such that the junction area isconcealed from eye view in the final product. For example, in accordancewith at least some examples of this invention, a finish material may beapplied to the putter structure 300, e.g., at least over the junctionarea 308 where the shaft member 306 is fixed to the shaft connectingmember 304, and this finish material may be used to conceal the junctionarea 308. In this manner, the shaft member 306 and the shaft connectingmember 304 (e.g., the overall handle member) may appear as a continuoussingle element, at least in the junction area 308. Examples of suitablefinish materials include a chrome coating material, an anodized coatingmaterial, paint, etc.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example iron type golf club structure 400 (e.g., awedge or other iron club) that includes and/or was produced by variousaspects in accordance with this invention. The golf club structure 400includes a golf club head 402 having a ball striking face 402 a. A shaftconnecting member 404 extends from the golf club head 402 (e.g., at aheel area of the golf club head 402, in this example structure). Theshaft connecting member 404 may be connected to the club head 402 and/orformed in any desired manner without departing from the invention. Forexample, the shaft connecting member 404 may be mechanically attached tothe golf club head 402 (e.g., via threads, adhesives, a mechanicalconnector, etc.). As another example, shaft connecting member 404 may beintegrally formed as a unitary structure with the remainder of or atleast some portion of the golf club head 402, e.g., by casting, molding,forging, or the like. The golf club head 402 and the shaft connectingmember 404 may be produced from any desired materials without departingfrom the invention, including, for example, from conventional materialsknown and used for golf club heads in the art, such as metals (e.g.,aluminum, steel, copper, copper alloys, titanium, titanium alloys,etc.), polymers, mixtures of metals and/or polymers, composites, etc.

The golf club structure 400 of this example further includes a shaftmember 406 fixed to the shaft connecting member 404. As shown in FIG. 4and as will be explained in more detail later in this specification, theshaft member 406 is connected with the shaft connecting member 404 in ahosel-free manner. In this example structure 400 (and as shown in FIG.4), the shaft member 406 is fixed to the shaft connecting member 404 ata shaft member/shaft connecting member junction 408 that is locatedexterior to the golf club head 402. The outer dimension, size, and/orshape of the shaft member 406 in this example structure 400 are the sameor substantially the same as the outer dimension, size, and/or shape ofthe shaft connecting member 404, at least at the shaft member/shaftconnecting member junction 408. As shown, the outer surface of the shaftmember 406 and the outer surface of the shaft connecting member 404 maybe sized, shaped, and fixed together such that the shaft member/shaftconnecting member junction 408 is smooth or substantially smooth.

While this example golf club structure 400 shows a straight connectionbetween the shaft member 406 and the shaft connecting member 404 at theshaft member/shaft connecting member junction 408, those skilled in theart will recognize, of course, that any shaped overall handle member maybe used without departing from the invention. For example, if desired,the shaft member/shaft connecting member junction 408 could provide acurved appearance, a bent or corner appearance, etc., without departingfrom this invention.

If desired, as further illustrated in the example structure 400 of FIG.4, at least the shaft member/shaft connecting member junction area ofthe club head structure 400 may be treated such that the junction areais concealed from eye view in the final product. For example, inaccordance with at least some examples of this invention, a finishmaterial may be applied to the club structure 400, e.g., at least overthe junction area where the shaft member 406 is fixed to the shaftconnecting member 404, and this finish material may be used to concealthe junction area 408. In this manner, the shaft member 406 and theshaft connecting member 404 may appear as a continuous single element atleast in the junction area 408. Examples of suitable finish materialsinclude a chrome coating material, an anodized coating material, paint,etc.

FIGS. 5 through 7 illustrate examples of at least some process stepsthat may be used for producing golf clubs in accordance with examples ofthis invention. While these figures illustrate production of a putterstructure like that shown in FIG. 3, those skilled in the art willreadily appreciate that the same or similar production techniques may beused in producing an iron type golf club structure, like that shown inFIG. 4, without departing from this invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an early step in the example golf club productionmethod, starting after the club head structure 500 has been preparedand/or otherwise made available. As shown in FIG. 5, the club headstructure 500 includes a ball striking head 302 and a shaft connectingmember 304 extending from the ball striking head 302. The club headstructure 500 may be obtained and made available for use in methodsaccording to the invention in any desired manner, e.g., by manufacturingit (e.g., using casting, molding, forging, or other suitableprocedures), by obtaining it from a third party vendor, manufacturer,and/or other supplier, etc. While the ball striking head 302 is shown inFIG. 5 as a blade type putter head, those skilled in the art willappreciate that any type of golf club head may be used in methodsaccording to the invention, including, for example, mallet type putterheads, any other types of putter heads, iron type golf club heads, etc.

As one step in this example process for making the golf club, a shaftmember 306 is fixed to the shaft connecting member 304 of the club headstructure 500. In accordance with at least some examples of thisinvention, the shaft member 306 will be fixed to the shaft connectingmember 304 in a hosel-free manner. As some more specific examples, thisfixing step may include connecting a free end 304 a of the shaftconnecting member 304 with a free end 306 a of the shaft member 306. Thetwo free ends may be fixed together in any suitable or desired mannerwithout departing from the invention, for example, by welding (e.g.,friction welding, spin welding, etc.), butt-welding, soldering, brazing,other fusing techniques, and/or by any other desired procedures. FIG. 5illustrates the two free ends 304 a and 306 a of the shaft connectingmember 304 and the shaft member 306, respectively, joined together via abutt-welding procedure. The resulting rough golf club structure isrepresented in FIG. 5 by reference number 520. Notably, as this stage inthe example club head producing method, the butt-welding joint orjunction 510 may have an enlarged bead of weld connection materialextending out from it. Any desired welding conditions may be used,including conventional conditions known and used for welding procedures.

Shaft members joined with shaft connecting members by welding (e.g.,friction welding, spin welding, etc.), butt welding, brazing, soldering,other fusing techniques, threaded connections, and the like can beadvantageous, in at least some examples, by eliminating the adhesivejoint between these parts. In at least some instances, for at least someusers, this fused or threaded joint can provide a more solid feelingjoint and/or eliminate the energy absorbing adhesive connection, therebycreating a more solid and/or consistent feel for the club head duringuse.

As a next step in this example procedure, as shown in FIG. 6, the excessbead of connection material at the junction 510 may be removed from therough golf club structure 520. This may be accomplished in any suitableor desired manner, for example, by grinding, sanding, polishing, and/orother procedures known and used in the art. The resulting smoothed joint532 provides the hosel-free connection in this example golf clubstructure 530. Notably, at this time, the outer dimension, size, and/orshape of the shaft connecting member 304 at the junction area 532 is thesame or substantially the same as the outer dimension, size, and/or ofthe shaft member 306 at the junction area 532. If desired, while notshown in the specific structure of FIG. 6, the overall shaft member 306and shaft connecting member 304 may be designed, constructed, and/orconnected together in such a manner that an outer surface of the shaftmember 306 and an outer surface of the shaft connecting member 304 attheir junction form a smooth or substantially smooth connection (e.g., astraight or smoothly curved junction), as opposed to the slightly bent,angled, and/or cornered connection shown in FIG. 6. Optionally, ifdesired, this step also may be used to shape the junction area 532 intoa smoothed or curved appearance, as opposed to the bent or corneredappearance of FIG. 6 (e.g., by grinding, sanding, polishing, etc. at thejunction area 532).

FIG. 7 illustrates another example step in this example golf clubproduction process. Specifically, FIG. 7 illustrates a step of applyinga finish material at least over a junction area 532 where the shaftmember 306 is fixed to the shaft connecting member 304. Of course, anytype of finishing procedure may be used without departing from thisinvention, or alternatively, if desired, no additional finishing stepsare required. Examples of suitable finish application procedures thatmay be used, if any, include conventional golf club finishing proceduresknown and used in the art. More specific examples of finishingprocedures that may be used include: a chrome coating procedure, ananodization coating procedure, a paint coating procedure, anelectroplating procedure, and the like. Finishing procedures of thistype may be used to visually conceal the junction area, as shown in FIG.7. Additionally, in at least some instances, as shown in FIG. 7, thefinishing procedure may make it appear as if the shaft member 306 andthe shaft connecting member 304 constitute a continuous or one-pieceelement, at least in the junction area. This may result in a visuallyappealing, less visually distracting surface (e.g., as compared withtraditional bonding shaft/club head joints, hosel-based joints, etc.).Optionally, if desired, the finishing procedure may be used to changethe appearance of the junction from a bent or cornered appearance to amore smoothed or curved appearance.

If desired, the shaft connecting member 304 may be fixed with the shaftmember 306 in a wide variety of other ways without departing from thisinvention. For example, rather than butt-welding the free ends together,a side edge welding technique may be used, e.g., like that shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B. More specifically, as shown in the example of FIGS. 8Aand 8B, the free ends 304 a and 306 a of the shaft connecting member 304and the shaft member 306, respectively, may be provided with side edgesurfaces that may be arranged to face one another, and a weld joint 800(or other appropriate connection material, such as solder, brazingmaterial, adhesives, or the like) may be provided to join the twomembers 304 and 306 together. Notably, in this illustrated exampleconnection, the free end 304 a of the shaft connecting member 304 andthe free end 306 a of the shaft member 306 fit together such that aconstant or substantially constant outer dimension, size, and/or shapeis provided through the junction area when the joined product isobtained (i.e., in this example, the outer dimension, size, and/or shapeof the overall handle member at the junction area 800 across the freeends 304 a and 306 a is the same or substantially the same as the outerdimensions, sizes, and/or shapes of the shaft connecting member 304 andthe shaft member 306 adjacent their respective free end areas, and asmooth or substantially smooth junction is obtained along the shaftlength between these two members 304 and 306). If desired, finishmaterials like those described above may be applied, e.g., to visuallyconceal the junction 800.

Still other ways of connecting the shaft member 306 to the shaftconnecting member 304 may be used in accordance with other examples ofthis invention. In at least some examples of these connections, an outerdimension, size, and/or shape of the shaft connecting member 304 at thejunction area will be the same or substantially the same as an outerdimension, size, and/or of the shaft member 306 at the junction areawhen the final product is obtained. Therefore, in accordance with atleast some of examples of this invention, the free ends 304 a and 306 aof the shaft connecting member 304 and the shaft member 306,respectively, may include threaded engagement elements or othermechanical connectors such that, when joined together, the outerdimension, size, and/or shape of the shaft connecting member 304 at thejunction area is the same or substantially the same as the outerdimension, size, and/or of the shaft member 306 at the junction area. Asstill another example, as shown in FIG. 9, if desired, the free end 304a of the shaft connecting member 304 may include an open chamber thatreceives the free end 306 a of the shaft member 306. Then, when the freeend 306 a of the shaft member 306 is fully inserted into the open end304 a of the shaft connecting member 304, the outer dimension, size,and/or shape of the shaft connecting member 304 at the junction areawill be the same or substantially the same as the outer dimension, size,and/or of the shaft member 306 at the junction area. The ends 304 a and306 a may be held together in any desired manner without departing fromthe invention, e.g., by adhesives, other fusing techniques, threads,other mechanical connectors, etc.

As also shown in FIG. 9, when constructed in this manner, the outersurface of the shaft member 306 and the outer surface of the shaftconnecting member 304 are sized, shaped, and fixed together such thatthe shaft member/shaft connecting member junction is smooth orsubstantially smooth. Of course, if desired, the open end may beprovided in the shaft member 306 and the insert portion may be providedon the shaft connecting member 304 without departing from thisinvention. Also, if desired, a finish material as described above may beapplied after the shaft connecting member 304 and the shaft member 306are connected together, e.g., to visually conceal the junction.

CONCLUSION

Of course, many modifications to the golf club structures and/or methodsfor making the golf clubs may be used without departing from theinvention. For example, with respect to the structures, grips, aimingindicia or markings, other indicia or markings, different types ofputter heads, different types of club heads, various shaft curvaturesand/or shapes, various shaft connecting member shapes, and/or otherstructural elements may be provided and/or modified in the structurewithout departing from the invention. With respect to the methods,additional production steps may be added, various described steps may beomitted, the steps may be changed and/or changed in order, and the like,without departing from the invention. Therefore, while the invention hasbeen described with respect to specific examples including presentlypreferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the artwill appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations ofthe above described structures and methods. Thus, the spirit and scopeof the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in theappended claims.

1. A golf club, comprising: a golf club head including a ball strikinghead and a shaft connecting member extending from the ball strikinghead; a shaft member fixed to the shaft connecting member at a weldedjunction area; and a finish material at least over the junction area,wherein the finish material includes a paint coating that visuallyconceals the junction area such that the shaft member and the shaftconnecting member appear as a single continuous element at least in thejunction area.
 2. A golf club according to claim 1, wherein a first endof the shaft connecting member connects with a first end of the shaftmember.
 3. A golf club according to claim 1, wherein the shaft member isfixed to the shaft connecting member at a butt-weld junction.
 4. A golfclub according to claim 1, wherein an outer dimension of the shaftconnecting member at the junction area is the same or substantially thesame as an outer dimension of the shaft member at the junction area. 5.A golf club according to claim 1, wherein an outer size and shape of theshaft connecting member at the junction area is the same orsubstantially the same as an outer size and shape of the shaft member atthe junction area.
 6. A golf club according to claim 1, wherein the golfclub head is a putter head.
 7. A golf club according to claim 6, whereinthe shaft member is fixed to the shaft connecting member at a butt-weldjunction.
 8. A golf club according to claim 6, wherein an outerdimension of the shaft connecting member at the junction area is thesame or substantially the same as an outer dimension of the shaft memberat the junction area.
 9. A golf club according to claim 6, wherein anouter size and shape of the shaft connecting member at the junction areais the same or substantially the same as an outer size and shape of theshaft member at the junction.
 10. A golf club according to claim 1,wherein the golf club head is an iron club head.
 11. A golf club,comprising: a golf club head including a ball striking head and a shaftconnecting member extending from the ball striking head; a shaft memberfixed to the shaft connecting member at a welded shaft member/shaftconnecting member junction located exterior to the ball striking head,wherein an outer surface of the shaft member and an outer surface of theshaft connecting member are sized, shaped, and fixed together such thatthe shaft member/shaft connecting member junction is smooth orsubstantially smooth; and a finish material at least over the shaftmember/shaft connecting member junction, wherein the finish materialincludes a paint coating that visually conceals the shaft member/shaftconnecting member junction.
 12. A golf club according to claim 11,wherein a first end of the shaft connecting member connects with a firstend of the shaft member.
 13. A golf club according to claim 11, whereinthe shaft member/shaft connecting member junction is a butt-weldjunction.
 14. A golf club according to claim 11, wherein the golf clubhead is a putter head.
 15. A golf club according to claim 14, whereinthe shaft member/shaft connecting member junction is a butt-weldjunction.
 16. A golf club according to claim 11, wherein the golf clubhead is an iron club head.
 17. A method for making a golf club,comprising: providing a golf club head including a ball striking headand a shaft connecting member extending from the ball striking head;fixing a shaft member to the shaft connecting member at a junction areaby a welding procedure; and applying a finish material at least over thejunction area, wherein the finish material includes a paint coating thatvisually conceals the junction area such that the shaft member and theshaft connecting member appear as a single continuous element at leastin the junction area.
 18. A method according to claim 17, wherein thefixing includes connecting a first end of the shaft connecting memberwith a first end of the shaft member.
 19. A method according to claim17, wherein the fixing includes connecting the shaft member to the shaftconnecting member by a butt welding procedure.
 20. A method according toclaim 17, wherein an outer dimension of the shaft connecting member atthe junction area is the same or substantially the same as an outerdimension of the shaft member at the junction area.
 21. A methodaccording to claim 17, wherein an outer size and shape of the shaftconnecting member at the junction area is the same or substantially thesame as an outer size and shape of the shaft member at the junctionarea.
 22. A method according to claim 17, wherein the golf club head isa putter head.
 23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the fixingincludes connecting the shaft member to the shaft connecting member by abutt welding procedure.
 24. A method according to claim 22, wherein anouter dimension of the shaft connecting member at the junction area isthe same or substantially the same as an outer dimension of the shaftmember at the junction area.
 25. A method according to claim 22, whereinan outer size and shape of the shaft connecting member at the junctionarea is the same or substantially the same as an outer size and shape ofthe shaft member at the junction area.
 26. A method according to claim17, wherein the golf club head is an iron club head.
 27. A method formaking a golf club, comprising: providing a golf club head including aball striking head and a shaft connecting member extending from the ballstriking head; fixing a shaft member to the shaft connecting member by awelding procedure at a shaft member/shaft connecting member junctionlocated exterior to the ball striking head, wherein an outer surface ofthe shaft member and an outer surface of the shaft connecting member aresized, shaped, and fixed together such that the shaft member/shaftconnecting member junction is smooth or substantially smooth; andapplying a finish material at least over the shaft member/shaftconnecting member junction, wherein the finish material includes a paintcoating that visually conceals the shaft member/shaft connecting memberjunction.
 28. A method according to claim 27, wherein the fixingincludes connecting a first end of the shaft connecting member with afirst end of the shaft member.
 29. A method according to claim 27,wherein the fixing includes connecting the shaft member to the shaftconnecting member by a butt welding procedure.
 30. A method according toclaim 27, wherein the golf club head is a putter head.
 31. A methodaccording to claim 30, wherein the fixing includes connecting the shaftmember to the shaft connecting member by a butt welding procedure.
 32. Amethod according to claim 27, wherein the golf club head is an iron clubhead.